Federal Crime

When you find yourself suddenly facing the possibility of federal criminal charges, it can be a confusing and intimidating experience. You need a skilled defense attorney who has experience navigating the intricate procedures of the federal system, while also providing you the clear and complete information you need to understand all your options. Congress has responded to increased criminal activity by creating federal jurisdiction over a host of offenses that previously had been left to state law. Lawmakers imposed steeper penalties than defendants would have faced under existing laws.

Many of these federal laws carry mandatory minimum sentences, so that judges do not have the discretion to impose lighter sentences even if that would be the fair thing to do. The key in such a situation is to have lawyers on your side with knowledge and experience of both criminal law itself and the inner workings of the federal court system. If you are convicted of a federal offense, you could be facing a long sentence in federal prison, high fines and possibly restitution. Most of these violations also carry heavy professional and social stigma, meaning that even being charged could become a life-altering event, so a Michigan federal criminal defense attorney is essential to have on your side when facing charges.

Many of these federal laws carry mandatory minimum sentences, so that judges do not have the discretion to impose lighter even if that would be the fair thing to do.

Conviction rates tend to be higher in federal court, because the prosecution is supported by thorough investigations conducted by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other highly competent federal agencies.

Criminal law is unique to some areas of the legal world – the law is different, the procedures are different, and the stakes are a lot higher, so the help of a Michigan attorney with experience in this field is important to have. Some of the offenses that can land someone in trouble with the federal government include:

• Drug Offenses
• Embezzlement
• Tax Evasion
• Gun or Weapon Offenses
• Money Laundering

While federal agencies are generally well-funded and well-staffed, even they can make mistakes. An experienced federal criminal defense lawyer in Michigan knows where to look to find the information that could make the difference between a conviction and the charges being thrown out.

When accused of a crime, you have the presumption of innocence. You do not have to prove you did not commit the crime, it is up to the government to prove you did commit the crime. An experienced defense attorney will aggressively challenge any evidence that federal prosecutors try to use against you.

This includes discovering if officials had a valid search warrant if the evidence was found during a search, or if the police had the necessary probable cause to detain you when your vehicle was stopped, or if there was racial profiling involved. An experienced attorney in Michigan will know how to challenge any evidence the opposing party tries to bring in.

A skilled attorney will listen to your story without judgment. They have seen it all, and they know that anyone can make a mistake. What is important is that you receive the protections you are entitled by the Constitution.